Father's Day: Your pictures and messages

Today, June 19, is Father's Day, and we are honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in our society. We have asking you to send us your pictures and messages in tribute to your papas, and here is a collection of what we've got from you, dear readers.

My Father, Lawrence K Twesigye, is an exceptional parent! When am praying for things in life, I always ask God to double his blessings especially giving him long life.
Daddy has been there for me from day one. He took me to nursery school everyday by himself! We are 10 children but I was born at a time when nursery schools were springing up. I had chance to interact and build a good relationship which is still strong to date.
Daddy isn't a very rich man but he has always been there for me in times of need. He gives me money and makes sure am comfortable at all time. He loves me unconditionally, when am sick he doesn't rest.
Daddy still treats me special, takes me out for lunch while at school, pays money for my hair in expensive salons which other children envy me for.
Lastly he calls me Darling which makes me special of all his children
(Brenda Akakiisiima)

 

 

Moses Ssali, you have been a great hero in my life; the greatest strength. Today, because of you I am being blessed in so many ways. You have been there for me for financial support or knowledge. From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you dad for everything. I love you.
Happy father's day.
(Robert Mugerwa)

 

 

Our dad is the kind of person who when you have done something wrong will sit you done and tell you what you have  done is not right,  he does not back down on us when stuff are not moving in the right direction.  And the most amazing thing about him is that he's a free-spirited person and always leaves a positive impact on people where-ever he goes!!!!!!
What more can we ask for????
(From Timothy, Martha, Rachel, Ruth and mummy)
 
 

 

Naturally, me and my nine siblings, being the single parent but still plays every part in the system. I can't imagine waking up at night checking how everyone is, nursing the family alone. Seriously, father is a God given gift.
Here comes a moment of visitation, tries very had that everyone gets a share since 1998
Enduring tears of his sons and daughters when sick.
Fighting so hard that at least everyone attends school of his or her choice. I have no reward I can give him and he knows that I appreciate and love him much.
(Philbert Abbe)

 

 

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(Sent by Neema Emmerina)

A letter to our Fathers to show how great they are, especially my father.

 

Dear Father,

You are the first man that I ever loved. You are my hero. Your arms were the first place where I felt so safe and protected.

The smile that comes upon your face when you see me makes me feel so cherished and adored.

Thank you for working hard to provide for me and our family. It has provided me with a sense of security that has propelled me in creating a fulfilling foundation for my own life.

Thank you for showing me your softer side. I know you are strong and protect me, but I also love when you show me your tears. When you reveal your emotions I feel so special and close to you.

Thank you for being my teacher. You taught me how to balance economic books.

Thank you for being honest. I look up to you and respect your integrity. And your strong character has inspired me to value and honor myself.

Thank you for being a loving shoulder to cry on when my heart has gotten broken and a hand to high five to celebrate when I achieved a dream.

Most of all thank you Dad FOR BEING YOU. I know you that you are my Father but you are also a human being, on your own path and learning your own lessons. Even if you have not done all these things, I know in my heart you have been the perfect Father for me for you have taught me the life lessons I need to learn.

Thank you for listening. Being able to be share with you and show you my vulnerability has been so important for my development as a woman. You have known when to offer me advice and when simply to wipe my tears.

No matter what, I will always love you.

And no matter how old I am (29 years), I will always be your one and only little girl.

Happy Father's Day.

From

Your daughter Neema Emmerina

This is dedicated to my Dad, Mr. Baryamujura Joseph. I love you.

 

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'WHAT'S UP YO!: Ugandan artist Navio with daughter Alyssa. (Sent by Prof. Maggie Kigozi, Navio's mum)

'OK, DO IT THIS WAY': Navio teaching Liam to swim (Sent by Prof Maggie Kigozi)

"Danny (Navio) is a good father. He loves his two children. He attends all school events and organises special occasions like birthdays. He is teaching them basketball and swimming," says Prof Kigozi.

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To the most wonderful dad. We luv you.
(Jackie, Bryn, Claire and Austin)

 

I pay tribute to my late dad, Al Haj Wasswa Ibrahim Mugema. Died on July 27, 1993 aged 49, leaving behind four wives with a total of 35 children. He only witnessed one graduation of our elder brother in 1990 but he sacrifice even with his limited education everything for our education. I graduated in 2008 but all with the help of my fantastic father's wise small investments. In total, even in death, he has financed a total of 26 degree holders in a family. I am proud to be called his son. Rest in peace Dad.
(Ibrahim Ssegawa)

 

 

 Mine comes in posthumously; to a father that used to cheer me on endlessly. Your smile will forever linger in our minds and I kindly ask you to smile as you receive this message because you loved us all unconditionally. You are a special, irreplaceable person and life will never be the same without you. May Allah grant you jannah.
But in the absence of dad, mum has tried her best to fill the void Alhamdulillah
(Nasser Mayombwe)
 
 
 

 

My beloved father, the late Rev. Edward Kirungi, on this day, I remember you would always be there for me when I was sick. When I felt like I was at the end of my strength, you prayed for me. I miss you so much. Rest in peace dad.
(Dorcas Nakiwala)
 
 
 
Happy Father's Day! This unique day is a celebration of you! Stay sweet, kind, and loving as you have always been. You taught me how to stay strong and stand up for myself. You taught me to never back down and pick myself up again each time I fall. You've always made sure I am a person of my words and kept true to myself. Thank you for all the things you taught me. You will always be the number one man in my life. I love you so much daddy!
(Susan Namulondo)

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I consider my dad, Ahmed Mukasa, to be the greatest because he prefers speaking to someone who has done wrong other than being harsh on them. He also has a great sense of humour. He may not be that rich be he always tries to make me happy and provide what he can afford.
Ibrahim Nyaika

My father Kolo Keneth is great because he has helped me see the world. He has been able to educate me on his little earnings. He is my greatest hero.
Allan Ojok

A dad is someone who holds you when you cry, scolds you when you break the rules, and has faith when you fail. My father gave me the greatest gift anyone can give another person; he believed in me.
Isaac Collins
 
 
I regard my dad, Musani Olekapta, the greatest because he could do anything to ensure I stay in school, healthy and now am waiting for my results so that I can graduate this November from IUIU.
I love you dad.
Oscar Kibet

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Our father, Dr. Eng. Lawrence Muhwezi, has been there for all of his children. We love him because he is generous; he looks after anyone that needs his help. He encourages and challenges us to be better people. Our father has indeed been a great father and has rescued all of us when we are in trouble. Dear father, we love and thank you for all your unconditional love.
(Nadia, Tom, Innocent, Faith and Eliana)

 
 

My dad, Ronald Kakooza, is a great dad because he believes in me. He always tells me I am brilliant and never forgets to buy me milk. He is the first to notice when I am sick and takes me to church every Sunday. He always trims my nails and plays with me every evening when he returns from work.  I love my Dad!
(Melisandra Celine Kakooza, 2.8 years)

 

 

Our dad is called Omwami Ken Mubiru. He is passionate about his culture! His strict about discipline and despite the fact that we speak English, when daddy arrives home, we welcome him back and greet him in Luganda while kneeling down. He even gave our sister Kimara Munganzirwazza that long name!
Our dad is our number one fan in table tennis practices, studies and in other special activities like the bangle business Tyner started. He encouraged her and even gave her the first capital when starting up the business.
Our dad prays for us, carries us and tells us stories. He loves us so much
(Tyner, Trinah and Kimara)

 

 

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MY FATHER IS AMAZING

Those who have met my father may describe him as a kind boss, a chiller teacher, a good friend or caring to his customers. As for me, God has blessed me to call him "Taata" not papa, father, mzei or even daddy, my attachment to my mother tongue can dare to enable me express what he means to me every time I call him.
Taata is a great father.
I have seen him joyful, sad, scared but never have I seen him angry because he never lets us see it.
Taata is patient with us, he is generous.
Taata is caring and loving, I see it every single day he leaves his bed at 6 to go and make sure we stay health, successful and happy. He never missed to come to any single visitation day for the 9 years I was in boarding school.
Taata makes us laugh, he always makes sure the home is joyful.
Taata likes to dance, we are always the last to leave parties.
My father is handsome and huge he engulfs me with his hug.
And best of all Taata never lets us go. He is always there for us through joy and hardship.
I love Taata so much because he is an amazing father.

(By Swabra Namutebi)

 

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TO MY DAD, MY BEST FRIEND       

He is not a hero, known by the whole world, but rather a hero he is to his little son. A true friend you can turn to during good and bad times. He has always been there through all my storms of life lifting me whenever I fall short, a real strong foundation in my life. A permanent impression of love is ever tattooed upon his face as he toils so faithfully to make my dreams come true. He has always taught what's right or wrong which has seen me grow into a respected, disciplined, hardworking, and above all a God fearing gentleman. Your wisdom and knowledge has always shown  the way and the ways you've helped me would make quite a list. In my universe, you're a bright shining star, generous soul of nature, a comforting arm of night and the depth of our family seed.
He is also a passionate soccer fan, his favorite club being Arsenal. How I wish I could surprise him with a Dstv Explorer decoder this Sunday.
❤HAPPY FATHERS' DAY❤

FROM YOUR DEAREST SON,
REMIGIOUS

 

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I CELEBRATE MY EXCEPTIONAL DAD

I have never taken time off to chronicle how great my father has been and continues to be and this goes to show that this years' father's day is of a difference. During my formative years, dad took it upon himself to shape my spiritual, mental, physical and emotional wellbeing as he would take my siblings and I through exercises like sit ups and push ups  that became routine every evening as he got home from work. He made it a habbit to help us with our homework and ceased the opportunity to see to it that we all master the multiplication table which was so helpful. Knowing how much i loved to be in the know, he would buy and pass on his newspapers to me. 

I don't remember him ever using the stroke of a cane to discipline me but he never missed  to reprimand and counsel me. He instilled in me the values of Christianity that i hold in high regard todate. I can never take for granted the fact that he did everything it took to make sure we are never chased for school dues though he isn't very affluent. Fast forward, he has recently embraced social media which he utilises to send me adorable and inspirational messages and tags me in his selfies on facebook, perhaps the reason why Mr. Kwesiga Myres, my dad, deserves a Dstv explorer.

Regards,
ATUHAIRE ALLAN CREED
Student, International University of East Africa.

 

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OUR DAD, VINCENT BARYOMU

Remaining the most praised and loved Father Vincent Baryomu is Unsurpassed when it comes to the love he showers his children and those around him.

His childhood like many of those that portray sibling rivalry, he was loved so much by his parents and siblings. That is why he has continued to spread the love he has to us kids as well as his grandchildren and everyone else on a personal level and through LION CLUB were he has been a member for more than 10years.

Mr Baryomu founded BAZAAR BOOKSHOP with our late mother Mrs. Connie Baryomu and has been in existence for more than 30years in Entebbe which puts the bookshop among one of the oldest companies in Uganda.  As years went on the bookshop has grown tremendously, like you know it is not easy to look after children in this current economy, so he took it upon himself to help those parents who could not afford a  dozen of books and pencils to send their children to school and for those that had little he found a way to get what could be afforded according to the little they had which has helped so much the society in taking the children to school. This has spread to us the children, what better way to continue the legacy.

The only time he displayed grief was at the loss of his wife our dear mother Mrs. Connie Baryomu of 45 years in marriage. He was deeply crushed for he never knew how to go on without her because she was his source of support in all he did, her memories continued to live inside of us all.

But with the continued support he got from us his children he got back to life and realized he had to live for us and the grandchildren because now he is all we had left as a parent and we are proud to say he has loved us the way it should be though we miss our mother, he has not made us feel that void. We love you dear Dad, may God bless you abundantly for your continued support and love you have shown us all the days of our lives.

 
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DEAR DAD!!!!

Yours, Rose Kebirungi

 

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MY DAD, MY HERO

My father a great, hero, die-hard made in any situation for my life to conquer into this  earth, an illiterate but educated because Jowab went school. A small short but a strong man who bears to stand for me dad. Ooh  I love you father!!! So courageous to  see that i am what i am today, though i have not yet reached or fulfilled my dreams of becoming a responsible tycoon in my life. Father you suffered and still. You are my first role model, you gave us life, respect, beauty behaviors because we listen to you father. Discouragements, strange things ,hate, abuses discords, suffering but you hard to stand a hero dad. Our lord God created to fulfill dreams and thank you for marrying a beautiful mother who gave you bright sons and so charming I LOVE YOU HON BYAKATONDA MILTON OF ISINGIRO.      

Your beloved son,        
AHIMBISIBWE JOWAB

 

 

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These are letters about daddy from my sister, brother and I . . .

 

A POEM ABOUT MY FATHER

My dear Father. He is the best. He plays with me and makes me laugh. He teaches me new things. He is a Doctor. He helps sick people get better. He pays my school fees. He takes us for outings in nice and fun places. The point is that my Father is always there for us and I love him very much.

(Byaruhanga Mary, P.4 - Hill Side P/S)

A LETTER ABOUT DADDY

Daddy is the best. He is my Father. He always plays with me every day and it is a lot of fun. Me and my Father, I love Dad. God bless him.

(Byaruhanga Emmanuel, Top class - Hill Side Nursery School)

FOR DADDY

He is the best in the whole world. He plays with us and allows us to use his laptop. He helps me with homework. He loves our family and is also faithful to God. He is a Doctor who always treats patients. His name is Dr. Byaruhanga Emmanuel. I love him so much.

(Byaruhanga Antoinette, P.3 - Hill Side P/S)

 

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I thank God for my dad, one who has always been there for me through thick and thin. I have never asked for any single item from dad and he refused, even when he is financially down. This is me and  dad on my graduation day.

(Derrick Wagoba)

 

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OPEN LETTER TO MY DAD

I really didn't think writing to the paper something about my dad would be the best way to let my dad know that I love him to death because he'd never know anyway but then I got to thinking while I ran around doing errands. And I said to myself why not just do it so here we are and I am inclined to say something about the maze that my dad is.                                                                               
Most people my age do not exactly share the same kind of relationship that my dad and I share. It's a relationship that borders between a modern father son relationship and a traditional one. Do we share a lot? Hell no. Does he know about my intimate life? Not that I've told him! so I don't have a name for our kind of relationship but he is one of the most amazing yet complex persons that I know to sum it up. Earlier I really didn't know what to make of him, I was not exactly afraid of him but I wasn't not afraid at the same time if you know what I mean and most people that have met him will tell you the same thing. You will never know what he thinks about something until he mouths it, which he doesn't do a lot.he has this expressionless look that doesn't give away much that by the way as a lawyer in the making I admire. Mr MUZIRANSA is one of the most hardworking men that I know that stops at nothing to make ends meet to the extent that one time we were going on vacation and he stayed behind to tie up a few loose ends and joined us later missing the most important parts of the vacay and you will find that he is missing in most photos because he is some place else toiling to give his family the most comfortable life he can afford. My dad is also one of the most concerned people about everything and everyone and I think that where I get my overly detailedness from. He will quietly sit and think about everything and constantly mumble to himself while we ride in the car things that might have skipped his attention and he will go do them or call to find out what is going on. Is my dad an honest lawyer and man at the same time? Quite tricky question to answer but in my dad's case it's a definite yes. How he manages to be both honest and practice law at the same time, I have no idea but he is damn good at his job. 
                                                 
And to address the ultimate question, whether my dad Is a great parent. I said earlier that my relationship with him borders between traditional and modern. Two very hard concepts to contextualise and put into practice one vis a vis the other. He is one of the best examples and icons of parents that I know. He sets the best examples for his sons and daughters to pick from. He is the kind of person that trains your mind to grow up faster than your biological brain, in short his examples of parenting are the kind that silently mould you to be a mini version of him and a bigger and better version of yourself. He has this tough love kind of parenting that I will personally uphold and practice with my own family (inshallah). He tells you what you need to hear straight up and he will not sugar coat it at all. This one time he told me right after I left junior high "you are not bright Saad, you are not. You are a very average student and do you know what average students do? They read! They read like their lives depend on it. This few years you spend in school are solely for your own benefit. Make the most of them and concentrate. Read those books because you will have a lot of time to play…" those are words I am not about to forget coming from him and to date I remember them and see his point but I can't go back and right my wrongs because in life there are no second chances. I have to stop writing now I'm getting too emotional.

21-year-old Saad MUZIRANSA
muziransasrule@gmail.com

 

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